Building-block.



Patented Apr. I6, I91". A. STAPLES. BUILIHNG BLOCK.

(Application filed Nov 14, 1900 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR %bk ATTORNEY- Patented Apr. I6, I905. A. STAPLES. BUILDINGBLOCK. Application filed Nov. 14, 1900.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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INVENTOR K BYWKJMM ATTORNEY.

UNITED STATES PATENT QEEIQE.

ARTHUR STAPLES, OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS;

BUILDING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 672,044, dated April 16,1901.

Application filed November 14, 1900. Serial No 36,462. (No model.)

To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR STAPLES, a citizen of the United States,residing in Lowell, in the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful ImprovementinBuilding-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to building-blocks, and has for its purpose tofurnish at moderate cost blocks fromwhich buildings may be soconstructed as tofdispense with the usual windows and yet to admit thedaylight.

I use a block formed of any suitable material, as Portland or othercement, clay, or any such materials as are employed in the manufactureof artificial stone,bricks,or tiles. I provide such blocks with lateralperforations closed by transparent or translucent material which willpermit the passage of light, while preventing the admission of dust andvermin to the building constructed of such blocks. By closing each endof the perforations by transparent or translucent material an air-spaceadapted to prevent the conduction of heat may be secured withoutinterfering particularly with the entrance of light. 13y dispensing withthe ordinary wooden window sash and frame there is a great saving ofrepairs, especially in the case of cellar and basement windows situatednear the ground, which are constantly exposed to dampness and dirt andsoon decay. These blocks are especially adapted for workshops, where a'soft and uniform light in all parts of the building is desired.-

In the accompanying drawings, on two sheets, Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a building block constructed in accordance with my invention;Fig. 2, a horizontal section of the same on the line 2 2 2 in Fig. 1;Fig. 3, a perspective view of a block, one end of which is solid and theother perforated; Fig. 4, a perspective view of a wall built from suchblocks.

A is a block, of any convenient size and ex ternal shape, adapted to bearranged with similar blocks to form walls of buildings or such otherconstructions as are commonly built of bricks or blocks.

My improved blocks difier from those heretofore used in having one ormore lateral perforations or light-passages a formed in the casting ormolding of the block, as by the use of cores, which if a concrete ofPortland cement and gravel or similar material be used may well be madetapering to facilitate the withdrawal of said cores. Where the aperturesa are tapering, the blocks will be arranged so that the smaller ends ofsaid apertures will be at the outer side of the Wall to distribute lightmore perfectly and to give additional strength to the outer face of thewall.

When the blocks are to be used as binders at the corners of a building,the blocks may have a single light-passage a, as shown in Fig. 3,because only the aperture in one-half of the block could be utilized,one side of the block being covered by the next block in the samecourse. The omission of one aperture also gives a greater strength tothe corner, and for this reason the block shown in Fig. 3 is preferablyused for door-jambs. Of course where desired or useful solid blocks ofsuitable size and shape may be used in connection with the blocks hereindescribed, as to support beams 01' at places where the light isunnecessary or undesirable. The apertures or perforations are closed bytransparent or translucent material, preferably plates B, of plainwindow-glass, where it is desired to avoid obstructing the visionthrough the wall or of bulls-eyes or of corrugated, hammered, orroughened glass, Where the principal object is to admit light to theroom and prop erly to diffuse the same within the room. The glass may besecured in the perforations in any usual manner, preferably by placingthe glass against a lodge a, ith which each aperture is provided, andthen filling the angle between the glass and the adjacent end of saidperforation with cement, just as putty is applied to secure thewindow-panes in an ordinary window-sash. I prefer to close each apertureat each end inthe manner above described to prevent the accumulationtherein of dirt and rubbish.

Obviously some of the blocks in the same wall may be glazed withtransparent material for sight-openings, while the others are closed bymerely translucent material to prevent vision, while admitting anddiffusing light.

I claim as my invention- 1. A building-block provided with one or morelateral light-passages extending from with glass-supportingledges andhaving glass the outer to the inner face thereof. arranged against saidledges and secured in 2. A building-block, provided with one or place bysuitable cement. more lateral light-passages extending from In testimonywhereof I have aflixed my sig- 5 the enter to the inner face thereof,said pasnature in presence of two Witnesses.

sages being closed by material pervious to the light ARTHUR STAPLES.

3. A building-block, provided with one or Witnesses: more laterallight-passages extending from ALBERT M. MOORE,

I0 the enter to the inner face thereof provided 1 FRANK E. EDMUNDS.

